Great expectations | The Journal of Montreal

Over the past few years, you had to like the taste for risky betting to predict the Canadiens would make the playoffs. However, the personnel movements made by Marc Bergevin during the offseason were a game-changer.

• Read also: 2021 NHL Special Report: The Canadian Can Aim High

Now, many are those who see the Canadian continue his journey in the elimination tournament. In fact, four of our 14 experts predict that he will win the title of the North Division.

Luc Grenier, sports director of Journal of Quebec, even pushed the audacity to predict the 25th Stanley Cup in its history. Michel Bergeron also sees it in the final.

Must do it! But if the Habs manages to bring back the precious trophy in the metropolis after an absence of 28 years, the boss of the provincial capital will pass for a genius.

As in time

Remember back in the 1980s when the Canadiens faced rivals in the Adams Division eight times a season? Eight trench battles against the Nordics, eight mornifle festivals against the Bruins.

The 2020-2021 season will be greatly inspired by it. The taps on the muzzle less. Although against the Maple Leafs, you never know.

Because in the schedule of 56 games drawn by the NHL, in which only intradivison games are scheduled, the Canadian will face each of his six rivals in the North section 9 times (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg) or 10 times (Toronto and Ottawa).

In fact, the Leafs, Senators, Jets and Oilers will be visiting the Bell Center on five occasions. For their part, the Flames and Canucks will visit the Habs four times.

It remains to be seen whether it will be possible to admire the prowess of Connor McDavid in person or whether it will be enough to watch his maneuvers on television. For the moment, it seems that we will have to limit ourselves to the second option, the Canadian government authorities having not yet authorized the gatherings.

Spectators in some places

It will be a little different in the United States, where the crisis is not handled in the same way. During the fall and winter, some NFL teams were able to play in front of a few thousand spectators. The same goes for the NBA, whose season began on December 22.

The Raptors, who have made their home in Tampa, and the Orlando Magic let in, on average, 3,500 spectators per game. Same thing in Houston, where the Rockets scattered 3,247 spectators. As for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they open the door to 300 fans per game.

We can therefore expect that the Lightning, the Panthers, the Stars, as well as the Blue Jackets, to a lesser extent, will be able to play in front of a public.

Offside: an amendment

Before the start of each season, changes to the regulations are made. The 2020-2021 campaign will be no exception.

After angering many coaches with requests for revisions, the offside rule has been amended so that a player is considered in play until both of his skates have completely crossed the blue line. before the puck. And this even if the skate still in the neutral zone or above the blue line does not touch the ice.

Thus, no more refused goals because a player, in his stride, was straddling the line with the second lifted foot, while his teammate entered the opposing territory with the puck.

Important dates

► January 13

Start of the season

► 12 avril, 15 h

Transaction deadline

► 8 May

Last day of the season

► May 11

Start of the playoffs

► July 9th

Deadline for the presentation of the Stanley Cup

► July 17, 5 p.m.

Deadline for sending protection lists in anticipation of the expansion draft

► July 21, 8 p.m.

Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft

► July 23

1^re draft round

► July 24

Draft rounds 2-7

► July 28, noon

Opening of the free agent market

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